Consumers can now have easy access of a good quality and cheaper rice, as the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas offers a P29 per kilo of rice at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) in Robinson’s Galleria-Cebu.

 

Under the Rice for All program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as implemented by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., the DA is partnering with the National Food Authority and the Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCA) so that affordable food will be accessible to the Filipino populace.

DA7 Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez, who led the opening of the KNP together with other partner national agencies emphasized the quick response of the government in providing affordable rice at the KNP.

 

She also mentioned the FTI for their support, inorder to deliver the services to the locals, despite the short notice.

 

“Don’t you realize that the government has changed? With the instructions last Tuesday, here we are right now on a Friday and we were able to deliver, ” said Dir. Enriquez.

 

The convergence among the agencies is also very important to show to the people that the government now is very serious in ensuring that food is available, that there is food security particularly in the region,” she added after recognizing the swift action of the FCAs as exhibitors.

The KNP offered the one-time Rice for All program where a kilo of well-milled rice sold at P29 for everyone to benefit regardless of status. The selling of P29 rice was made possible through the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI), a company that helps distribute essential commodities, and for the first time, it extended its support outside Luzon area.

 

Aside from rice, several farmer cooperatives and associations (FCA), displayed some fresh agricultural produce and processed products at a budget-friendly price.

 

This event is in concurrence with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) National Jobs Fair. sJoining the KNP were the Department of Trade and Industry-7, Department of Social Welfare and Development-7, Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government-7, and the National Food Authority.

 

Among the FCAs that participated were the Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC), First Consolidated Cooperative Along Tañon Seaboards, Cebu People’s MPC, Guadalupe Community MPC, Growing Greens Farm, GPA Farms, PESTALES Agriculture Cooperative, Bez Acre, Carson Hills Agriculture Farm, Grnd Up Consumer Goods Trading, Macaban-Kakaw Krayollo Lubi Netibo Agriculture Cooperative respectively.